Aamir Khan Condemns 'Cowardly' Pahalgham Attack; Admits He Is The 1st Actor To Speak Against Pak On Big Screen

Bollywood icon Aamir Khan recently made appearance on the television show Aap Ki Adalat. During his conversation with India TV, he discussed the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. Known for his diverse acting roles and social awareness, Aamir also shared insights about his film Sarfarosh, which was notable for naming Pakistan and the ISI while addressing cross-border terrorism.

The tragic Pahalgam terrorist attack took place on April 22, 2025, in Jammu and Kashmir. It resulted in the loss of 26 lives and left 12 others injured. In retaliation, the Indian Armed Forces initiated 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7, 2025. This midnight operation targeted various terrorist hideouts and airbases across the border in Pakistan.

Aamir Khan's Response to Pahalgam Attack

Following the attack, Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Vicky Kaushal, and Anupam Kher expressed their grief on social media. They demanded justice for the victims. Although Aamir Khan is not active on social media platforms, his team released a statement condemning the attack. Later at a public event, he openly expressed his sorrow and denounced the violence.

When questioned about his initial silence regarding the Pahalgam incident, Aamir Khan clarified: "I did condemn it. I am not on social media, where people react instantly. But when I was asked about Pahalgam at a public function, I condemned the attack. It was a reprehensible and cowardly act targeting innocent people based on their religion. It was also an attack on our national unity—an abhorrent act. The perpetrators have received a crushing reply."

Sarfarosh: Breaking Taboos in Cinema

Aamir Khan also addressed cinema's role in acknowledging terrorism's reality. He pointed out that Sarfarosh was groundbreaking as it was the first Bollywood film to explicitly name Pakistan and ISI in its dialogues, challenging long-standing taboos.

When asked why he seldom mentions Pakistan by name in films, Aamir explained: "If you look at the history of Indian cinema, the Censor Board previously instructed filmmakers to use terms like 'padosi mulk' (neighbouring country) and discouraged naming Pakistan explicitly. I challenged that with Sarfarosh. The director, John Matthew Matthan, was initially told the film wouldn't get clearance if Pakistan was named. I argued if leaders like Advani Ji can name Pakistan openly in Parliament regarding terrorism, why can't films do the same? Sarfarosh was the first film to openly name Pakistan and ISI, and since then many films have followed suit. Those who say I don't speak out against Pakistan publicly should know I was the first to do so on screen."

Aamir Khan's candid discussion highlighted both his personal stance against terrorism and his pioneering role in using cinema as a platform to address sensitive issues directly.